Friday, January 22, 2010

1. Overwhelmed Owner Releases 35 Cats to the ASPCAAs one NYC resident learned firsthand, two unaltered pet cats can soon turn into more than three dozen. Thankfully, the ASPCA was able to intervene and provide some help. She relinquished 35 of the felines, who will soon be made available for adoption. Read More...

Monday, January 18, 2010

With hearts and minds focused squarely on the devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti on January 12, the ASPCA extends its full support to those organizations providing humanitarian relief in the ravaged island nation. Soon, the animal victims of this disaster will need help, too—that's why the ASPCA has joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH).

ARCH was created to address the needs of animals in Haiti in this time of crisis. The coalition is headed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), and in addition to the ASPCA, consists of a number of animal welfare groups including American Humane, Best Friends, the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International.

The ASPCA has joined ARCH with the belief that partnering across organizations is the most effective way to address the serious and enormous problems facing animals in Haiti. There are an estimated 5 million head of livestock in the country (mostly goats), a large stray dog population, and an untold number of companion animals and native wildlife all adversely affected by the earthquake.

Currently, a team of experts in animal emergency response is staging in the Dominican Republic waiting to get into Haiti to begin work. IFAW and WSPA have also begun to stock a mobile clinic with vaccines, antibiotics, bandages, food and other supplies in anticipation of bringing direct aid to animals.

The ASPCA has committed to providing logistical support to the disaster responders from the U.S. In addition, the ASPCA stands ready to deploy highly skilled and specially trained members of our own Field Investigations and Response Team to the area.

1. Ten Most Common Pet Poisons of 2009This past year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic household substances, proving that many everyday items in our homes can harm pets. Find out what these pet-unfriendly substances are—and avoid an accident in 2010. Read More...

2. ASPCA Happy Tails: Language of LoveAfter overcoming some serious obstacles, Christy is living the good life with her new family and five feline siblings. Read this get-along pooch's heartbreaking story and how she found her way home for the holidays.

3. Domestic Violence Linked to Animal CrueltyThe connection between domestic violence and animal cruelty is undisputed—as many as 88% of families in abuse situations also report cases of animal cruelty. Learn how you can help stop the cycle.

4. Operation Chihuahua Update!Last week, we introduced you to 15 jet-setting Chihuahuas from California. Get ready to learn who's been adopted, who's found love, and who's taking a bite out of the Big Apple.

We are their voice.®Through your generosity the ASPCA can take that commitment seriously, working tirelessly 24/7 toward our goals of preventing animal cruelty and finding permanent, loving homes for America's adoptable pets.

We made remarkable progress in 2009. Thanks to your continued support we have set our goals even higher in 2010. No animal should suffer needlessly and thanks to you the ASPCA's life-saving programs can continue to provide desperately needed care and protection to abused, abandoned, lost and homeless pets.

Renew your ASPCA membership today!It's only with the continued commitment of compassionate supporters like you that we can achieve far-reaching and long-lasting advances in animal welfare in 2010 and beyond!

LARKIN VALLEY — Erika Reid was moments away from putting down Tam. She had the syringe full of drugs in her hands, looking for a vein when rescuers arrived.

The 30-year-old blind Appaloosa had stumbled into the deepest part of a swampy patch bisecting a pasture on Larkin Valley Road and was sinking into the mud.

Reid, who was returning from a ride on Tam's 6-year-old son, witnessed the accident. When she jumped in alongside the horse, Reid found herself immersed to the waist, and she had to claw her way out to find a better spot to hold the horse's head above the water. Tam was shaking, the beginning of hypothermia. "I was going to put her down rather than see her drown," Reid said.

Felton Fire Protection District's large animal rescue team was at least 25 minutes away when the call came in 12:47 p.m.

Cal Fire Pajaro Valley Battalion Chief Greg Estrada was on Freedom Boulevard and arrived about seven minutes later. He said time was running out, and though using the rescue truck's winch to pull the horse free wasn't the first choice, it was the only option.

"We were afraid we were going to lose her, she was going to drown," Estrada said.

Using the winch, the Cal Fire crew was able to pull Tam from the water so she was no longer in danger of drowning. Felton firefighters arrived at 1:28 p.m. and used a rescue sled to free her from the marshy ground. Tam was up and about three minutes later, her coat matted in mud,

but otherwise apparently unharmed.

"The Cal Fire and Felton Fire response was critical to the rescue," said Santa Cruz County Animal Services Field Supervisor Todd Stosuy, who assisted. "The animals of Santa Cruz County are lucky to have them on their side."

As Reid walked a blanketed Tam across the pasture, the rest the herd, a half-dozen horses including Tam's son, raced to the horse's side, whinnying and nuzzling her.

"She's OK," Reid told them.

So fine that Tam protested with jerks and whinnies being led up Larkin Valley Road to a stable for a couple of days of recovery.

Reid said Tam didn't want to be away from the rest of the herd, especially her son who's watched out for her since she went blind four years ago due to a condition known as moon blindness, common to Appaloosas. If she hadn't been riding him, he would have guided Tam to the shallow crossing the other horses used, Reid said.

Reid said she tried to move Tam from the pasture a few days ago, but she refused, rearing and bucking to avoid being loaded into a trailer.

Reid seemed calm despite the emotion of the incident. She said she had been a veterinary nurse for 20 years before going into real estate, and said she's helped rescue horses in the past, including during the nearby Trabing Fire in 2008. Getting help for one of her horses was a new experience.

Maukie - the virtual cat

About Me

My passion is Cat Rescue. My dream is to establish a non-profit Cat Rescue to be able to expand my efforts to save these animals. I currently rescue and foster Cats in my home. I am also an Activist on behalf of ALL animals of the earth.

About My Blog

My Cat rescue work andstriving to educate people about the plight of the animals of the earth, whom God has entrusted to us. To fight against cruelty, abandonment and suffering of our fellow creatures. Please help in the fight, do your part. You CAN make a difference!

My Favorite Quote

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man."~Gandhi~